December 15, 2011

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Thompson Park update

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Shoppers rejoice

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Kids write novels

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Volume 3, Number 44 | December 15, 2011

Equine assisted therapy continues to grow

By Jane Bachrach Sopris Sun Staff Writer

F

lash mobs, as we learned in last week’s Sopris Sun, may be new to Carbondale but equine assisted psychotherapy and equine assisted learning are not. Both therapeutic approaches are picking up steam as a way to heal humans and several local therapists can vouch for the positive results.

Although using horses to facilitate healing isn’t new, this kind of therapy is becoming more accepted and recommended medical professionals around the country.

Equine therapy in the Roaring Fork Valley dates back to at least the mid-1990s. Sopris Therapy Services has been in Carbondale since 1994 and according to executive director Pat Horowitz, is unlike other equine therapy centers in that they offer Hippotherapy as an option, providing services to, among others, at risk youth and disabled veterans.

Hippotherapy is a form of physical and speech therapy in which a therapist uses the movements of a horse to provide carefully graded motor and sensory input.

Another group, WindWalkers, was formed in 2005, and today has a stable of 10 horses that work with groups and individuals to assist them in working through physical and mental challenges.

Julie, of Julie Martin Counseling, has been practicing equine assisted therapy since 2007 and recently formed an association with WindWalkers and Melissa Wily of WindWalkers. They are in Carbondale as well.

New kids on the block

WindWalkers decorated their therapy horses (this is Harley) and then had them photographed and made into Christmas cards for their clients. WindWalkers is just one of several groups that use horses for therapy. Photo by Jane Bachrach

The most recent program to offer equine therapy is Sheri Gaynor’s Creative Spark Studio in Carbondale. Along with long-time equine professional Susan Gibbs, Gaynor recently announced the formation of their equine facilitated integrative healing program: Healing heARTs with Horses.

Gaynor and Gibbs introduced their new program at Strang Ranch a few weeks ago in a demonstration that was open to the public.

At Strang Ranch, adults, teens and kids were treated to a demonstration in the indoor EQUINE THERAPY page 8

Carbondale Commentary The views and opinions expressed on the Commentary page do not necessarily reflect those of The Sopris Sun. The Sopris Sun invites all members of the community to submit letters to the editor or guest columns. For more information, e-mail editor Lynn Burton at news@soprissun.com, or call 510-3003.

Letters

The Sopris Sun welcomes your letters, limited to no more than 400 words. Letters exceeding that length may be edited or returned for revisions. Include your name and residence (for publication) and a contact email and phone number. Submit letters via email to letters@soprissun.com or via snail mail to P.O. Box 399, Carbondale, CO 81623.

Jeannie makes me laugh Dear Editor: I am a self-exile from Carbondale and the home that I love. I can’t return because I am unhappy surrounded by the people who came to the Valley in the past few decades and went about making it their home. I don’t wish them to return from whence they came, but I do wish that they had a sense of humor.

That would at least make things bearable.

Jeannie Perry’s column has one steadfast guarantee — it makes me laugh without fail.

Reading the last one made me laugh, but it also made me fearful for her. I knew that the Invaders would not get it. I guessed that most of them would not understand a reference to the Witches of Eastwick, and that granting a nickname that included the word “Mad” would make them flip. I at least hoped that they would understand the metaphor of a beer garden, but in my soul I knew that they would take her seriously. And they did.

In a very long list of things that made him mad about Jeannie’s article, Juan Grobler expressed his viewpoint that new development is the most important thing for Carbondale to focus on.

OK, I can understand that perspective, but I also know there are other ones. It does not seem that Mr. Grobler knows this. He even goes so far as to say that someone without an economic background who is not invested in Carbondale (i.e. who does not have a lot of money?) should not be able to voice an opinion. But he points out that Elizabeth Murphy is qualified because she is married to a surgeon and she is well educated. Oh dear.

The idea that trustees should be above criticism (as Bill Lamont suggests in his letter) because they work as tireless public servants is creepy, and very un-American.

Analyzing, criticizing, and satirizing the actions of our public servants is an important part of the system that we all hold dear. In becoming a public servant, you open yourself up to criticism just like Superman at a poker tournament.

Get it?

That’s a joke.

You know because he has X-ray vision, and people would criticize him for cheating by seeing through the cards.

See, when you have to explain a joke, it’s not really very funny anymore. Do you get it now?

Really, I’m not sure many of you do.

Anne DeVoe Seattle, Washington

Carbondale faces a choice

River Valley Ranch says, “it is charming – stay just like it is.”

Bob and I came in 1941. There was one school building – no kindergarten, no hot lunch, no sports for girls, a small grocery store, and no library. The Garfield County library was in New Castle, serving Carbondale, Glenwood, New Castle, Silt and Rifle.

Helen Tibbets, grandmother of Toni Cerise, was the capable librarian. There was no government funded babysitting – parents looked after their own children – no buses and no foul language on school grounds. There was one church, Carbondale Community Methodist, with a large basement for meetings, suppers, square dancing and so forth.

I liked Carbondale the way it was too.

However, we are in a different era now. It is called the Green Age (conservation). Why should we have to get in the car to go elsewhere for our needs, handing Glenwood and Basalt our tax money? We can be selfish; “I’m here, you stay out,” or we can grow up and be proud of our outstanding town.

We are fortunate to have a City Market who wants to build. Don’t control the size; let them build for our future needs Ruth B. Perry Carbondale

Move to Glenwood Dear Editor: I have a simple solution for Nicki Cannon.

If you need big-box stores and Glenwood Springs type shopping, simply move to Glenwood Springs. Why did you move to a place that doesn’t have the amenities you want?

The reason we like this place, Carbondale, is because it is a rural bedroom community. It used to be a ranching/ farming community. And then I guess it really was a bedroom community as everyone worked where they lived. Later people commuted to Redstone to work in the coal mine and to Aspen to work at the ski area and related businesses. So Carbondale is basically a bedroom community that also has great cultural amenities and small businesses.

I was just downtown with a friend who hasn’t lived here in five years and she recognized many stores and businesses. Yes, there have been empty storefronts, but many new small businesses have moved in. As we all know, the future is small business.

And just because the (VCR) land was sold doesn’t mean something has to be built.

Maybe the person who bought it made a bad financial and or poorly timed decision. And in response to the “Mad” editorial: why did the developer buy a piece of commercial land with zoning that wouldn’t allow him to do what he wanted? He could have chosen a different property.

The positive plan is to keep Carbondale local with small locally owned businesses.

And yes, I do shop locally.

Betsy Bucher Lincicome Carbondale

Dear Editor: The choice facing Carbondale now is will it become a viable town or remain a small artist colony with scarcity of tax money. The group that came in the 1960s says, “leave it just the way it is.” The group that lives in 2 • THE SOPRIS SUN • DECEMBER 15, 2011

Try this Dear Editor: I have enjoyed reading the opinions of Jeannie Perry and Juan Grobler, and many others recently concerning the Village at Crystal River. Editorials represent democracy in action! Thanks for printing them. My parents have been fighting over the VCR since I was a kid.

Since we’re all throwing out fantastic ideas, I have one. It’s hard to improve on a perfect meadow, but I envision a great circular pedestrian mall.

In the center, I’d put a beautiful antique carousel; you know, a merry-go-round.

Local artists could adopt the horses and chariots. Maybe we could find one from Coney Island on Ebay. Surrounding it, there would be concentric sidewalks of colorful, sustainable cement with bulb-outs.

Possibly some solar powered fog machines or laser lights.

There should also be a fountain (designed locally, with laser lights) and benches. The fountain could double as a place for our Highway 82/133 “intersection crowd” to freshen up or nap in the shade.

Let’s not build buildings, but maybe invite some Mountain Fair-style vendors to sell goods. I’d like to see a “Sounds Easy” booth, a “Ship of Fools” booth, and maybe one that sells Novels and Tea. We could park the Burrito Truck there, and fund it with a “development tax.” Free Burritos!

Instead of houses, we could make a “camping area” for the foreclosed, the seasonal residents, or even protestors to occupy.

There could even be a small open-mic stage, so we can stand up and hear ourselves talk.

There would be tall trees, drinking fountains, bike-repair stands, Frisbee-golf AND mini-golf!

It’s perfect! We could drop the kids at the carousel and enjoy the 360-degree view. We could spend forever going ROUND AND ROUND on this property!

In these times, I guess, it’s not about what we want, but what we can live with. I love that meadow, but it’s zoned commercial. It’s about who has a reasonable plan and is willing to invest in our town.

I support Juan Grobler in saying we should find an “economically viable solution, other than saying NO to anything that comes along.” (I also like his idea of opening it up to play hopscotch and tiddlywinks.) And I support Jeannie in suggesting “we take things too seriously in this town.”

We do. Build it or not, it’ll be OK. It will never be typical sMalltown America. It will still be Carbondale. We’ll still ride circles in the parking lot. I also love Jeannie’s suggestion of hiding rosy-cheeked gnomes around the property. Let’s all do that no matter what we build.

Adam Carballeira Carbondale

Thanks for coming Dear Editor: Creative Spark Studio and Healing heARTs with Horses, want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who braved the elements and attended our equine assisted growth and learning demonstration event.

We are deeply grateful to the Strang family for their kind and welcoming invitation to host the activities on the ranch and inside their beautiful indoor arena.

Thank you to our sponsors: Carbondale Council on Arts and Humanities, Coredination Pilates, Creative Spark Studio, Roaring Fork Horse Council, SG Horses, Special Needs Moms for Moms, The Martens Foundation, and Windwalkers for their support and sponsorship.

And a BIG WHINY to the many wonderful volunteers and participants who donated time and support to the cause. Your incredible contributions helped to make our vision a reality and our first endeavor a wonderful success!

Sheri Gaynor Creative Spark Studio and Healing heARTs with Horses Susan Gibbs SG Horses and Healing heARTs with Horses Carbondale

Remembering Emmy Neil Dear Editor: Many of you may be unaware of the wonderful Emmy Neil, whose funeral was Dec. 10. What an amazing career she has had. One can never remember all the details of her life long achievements: Early on, she encouraged the farm boys of Burns to head for a track meet! Her thinking was – if these boys can run in their old work boots, they’ll fly when they get a pair of LETTERS page 13

To inform, inspire and build community Donations accepted online or by mail. For information call 510-3003 Editor: Lynn Burton • 510-3003 news@soprissun.com Advertising: Bob Albright • 970-927-2175 bob@soprissun.com Photographer/Writer: Jane Bachrach Ad/Page Production: Terri Ritchie Paper Boy: Cameron Wiggin Webmaster: Will Grandbois Sopris Sun, LLC Managing Board of Directors: Peggy DeVilbiss • David Johnson Allyn Harvey • Colin Laird Laura McCormick • Trina Ortega Jean Perry • Elizabeth Phillips Frank Zlogar

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Ram girls looking to turn things around this season

By Will Grandbois Sopris Sun Correspondent

The Thompson House sits near the north end of River Valley Ranch. Photo by Will Grandbois

Trustees close public hearing on Thompson Park proposal

By Lynn Burton Sopris Sun Staff Writer The Carbondale Board of Trustees completed the public hearing portion of the Thompson Park annexation and development proposal Tuesday night, setting the stage for what could be a final vote on the project on Jan. 10.

The proposal, presented by Frieda Wallison of Snowmass, calls for up to 45 housing units on 10 acres between Highway 133 and the north end of River Valley Ranch. Key to Wallison’s proposal is her pledge to deed the 123year-old Thompson House to either the town or Mount Sopris Historical Society to be used as a museum.

Wallison first proposed the project more than two years ago. Since then she has presented several different plans for the property and negotiations with trustees over details have taken place ever since.

At Tuesday night’s meeting, she told the trustees she said she feels “very comfortable” with the approval documents drafted by staff, except for one issue: she can’t guarantee she’ll put in a road and complete some infrastructure within two years of annexation as the trustees want.“It’s an impossibility,”she said.“I can’t get financing or a letter of credit (for the road). …

We have one issue.”Rather, she wants up to five years from annexation to put in the road.

Later in the meeting, trustee John Hoffmann said“It’s a good plan … well vetted.”Trustee John Foulkrod said,“I have no problem with the road.”

Trustee Frosty Merriot then reminded Wallison she had agreed to a 1 percent real estate transfer assessment (RETA) on the first sale of each unit. Wallison countered that she will agree to a half-percent RETA on all sales.

Trustee Pam Zentmyer introduced a new issue. She wants the nine affordable housing units disbursed throughout the project, rather than in just three of the four proposed parcels.

Trustee Ed Cortez later asked,“Why are we debating this (disbursal issue)? If we don’t scoop it up we’re doing a disservice to affordable housing.”

After Wallison said that none of the affordable housing would be single family, Zentmyer said “I’m not thrilled with nine apartment-style (units).”

In other action from Tuesday night: The trustees approved a $5.1 million general fund budget for 2012. For the first time,

the trustees included an anticipated $215,000 in Mineral Leasing and Mineral Severance Tax state funds. In 2011, the town received $439,000 from the fund.

The 2012 budget includes a 2 percent cost of living adjustment following a three-year freeze on salaries.

The town is forecasting $4.7 million in general fund reserves at the end of 2012. Some of that money is targeted for land acquisition and possible capital construction projects, according to a memo from Town Manager Jay Harrington.

David Kane was the only audience member to comment on the budget at Tuesday night’s meeting. In an e-mail to trustees earlier in the day, Kane said he objects to the town funding the non-profit groups Wilderness Workshop and Thompson Divide Coalition.

Kane’s four point letter starts out: “Public funds to help organizations that engage in political activities, including lobbying and organizing to achieve their political mission sets a dangerous precedent.”

Both Carbondale-based groups are actively opposed to natural gas exploration and production in the Thompson Divide area south of Carbondale. Wilderness Workshop is also active in a number of other outdoor and environmental causes, including the creation of thousands of acres of wilderness through its Hidden Gems proposal.

Kane quoted from both groups’ Web sites.

The Wilderness Workshop site says “WW is a non-profit organization that engages in research, education, legal advocacy and grassroots organizing to protect the ecological integrity of local landscapes and public lands.“ The Save Thompson Divide Web site states: “The mission of the Thompson Divide Coalition is to secure permanent protection from oil and gas development of Federal lands in the Thompson Divide Area including the Thompson Creek and Four Mile Creek watersheds, as well as portions of the Muddy Basin, Coal Basin, and the headwaters of East Divide Creek.”

Kane concludes in part:“My intention is not to disparage TDC and WW, but to point out that these organizations that are politically active and definitely do not speak for all citizens of Carbondale, myself included, and should not be funded by public funds.”

The trustees tabled their decision on whether and how much to fund non-profits until Jan. 10.

Roaring Fork High School girls’ basketball coach Kirk Cheney wrapped up the 2007-08 season thinking it would be his last. After a 61-27 record over four years, juggling coaching alongside his job as a plumbing contractor had become too much.

So, along with boys’ coach Roger Walters (who led the boys to five straight state tournaments), he took his leave at the end of the 2008 season. But while Walters seems happily ensconced in his new role coaching the girls basketball team at Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction, Cheney just couldn’t stay away from the sidelines.

After a three-year hiatus, Cheney is back at the helm at Roaring Fork and optimistic about the Rams’ prospects.

“Let me emphasize to you up front that we are going to be good,” he told the Sun following non-league losses in the Glenwood Invitational Tournament on Saturday. “We all hope it is going to be sooner rather than later ... but it is going to come.”

Cheney’s faith has some strong foundations, though this season’s record has yet to reflect it. After losses in the Brenda Patch Tournament at the beginning of the month, the Lady Rams notched their first victory against Eagle Valley on Dec. 9, keeping a decisive lead throughout and finishing the game 49-28. Roaring Fork then held the Demons in check for the first half of Saturday’s duel with Glenwood Springs, but lost when the Glenwood girls unleashed 22 points in the third quarter. The Faith Christian Eagles dominated the first quarter of their match-up 17-2 and finished the half 28-6.

The Rams rallied in the second half, however, leading both quarters to bring the final score to 58-21, proving they can put up a good fight, even against a private school with a strong record.

Meanwhile, the boys reversed their Brenda Patch defeats by squeaking past Glenwood Springs 46-44 in a nail-biting

face-off on Dec. 9. On Saturday, a similarly close game ended in a 62-58 loss to Eagle Valley. The weekend brings the guys to 1-3 overall, counting the first round against Glenwood and a foul-heavy bout with Steamboat at the start of the season.

The girls and boys will have a second shot at Eagle Valley before the holiday break in a home game on Dec. 16. The season starts up in earnest after New Year’s, with rounds against Aspen and Olathe on the weekend of Jan. 5.

Back to the girls, for Cheney a few losses at the beginning of the season are just an appetizer for future success. “This group of kids is hungry for success in basketball,” he said. “They have experienced it in many of their other endeavors and are ready to fill this void as well. We have a great group of kids that are learning the game on the fly and are doing very well to understand the concept.”

The key, Cheney said, is to harness the team’s substantial athletic talent and focus it. Seniors Kaleigh Wisroth and Kenia Pinella, as well as juniors Megan Gianinetti, Hattie Gianinetti and Georgia Ackerman all hale from a volleyball team that finished the season 17-8. Megan Gianinetti currently leads the pack in scoring, averaging 10 points per game, while Hattie Gianinetti is contributing 5 points per game and Wisroth 4.

The volleyball starters are joined by seniors Sharlene Salinas, Kelly Farris and Sam Denard, junior Shaeley Lough, and sophomores Autumn Grandberry, Toni Gross, and Maddie Nieslanik.

It’s a learning experience for the coach, too: those seniors were still in middle school when Cheney hung up his spurs.

Cheney’s final message? Don’t let the past few years get you down.“I really believe this group of girls will be able to turn this season into something special that they and the community can take pride in. When we get to the end of the season, expect to see the Roaring Fork girls competing with the top teams in the league.

Keep tuned in; it is going to be exciting!”

Jackie Wagner (left) and Eileen Waski (right) took Salvation Army bell ringing up a notch at City Market last week. Then even corralled John Foulkrod, who slid a double sawbuck into the red kettle. Photo by Lynn Burton THE SOPRIS SUN • DECEMBER 15, 2011 • 3

News Briefs

Cop Shop

The Weekly News Brief The Sopris Sun and the KDNK news departments team up to discuss recent news from the Roaring Fork Valley and beyond. Catch the Brief Fridays on KDNK.

Aspen Glenners receive AED training The Carbondale Fire District recently gave an AED heart class and CPR training to employees at the Aspen Glen Club. An automated external deďŹ brillator (AED) is a portable electronic device that stops arrhythmia and allows the heart to reset its effective rhythm. Arrhythmia can lead to cardiac arrest.

Ross withdraws grant application Ross Montessori has withdrawn a $5.2 million matching grant application earmarked for school expansion. Earlier this year, the Colorado Department of Education awarded the charter school a $6.6 million grant, provided it raise $5.2 million on its own.

A Ross board member said the school might be able to reapply under new requirements next year.

Ross Montessori School is located on Merrill Avenue, north of town hall. It has 245 students in grades K-8. The campus and buildings sit on the old mine services property off 4th St. and Merrill.

Entities writing recreation plan The city of Aspen, Pitkin County, the U.S. Forest Service, For The Forest and the SE Group have teamed up to help write a master plan for two popular recreation areas near Aspen: Smuggler Mountain and Hunter Creek.

Members of the Future Forest Roundtable citizens collaborative have been participating as a focus group to examine resources within the Hunter Creek-Smuggler Mountain area, according to a press release. “They are pondering what a common vision looks like for continuing use of the heavily visited interface between city and county open space and forest land managed by the Aspen-So-

pris Ranger District,� said a For The Forest spokesman.

Two of the scheduled three workshops to solicit public input have taken place. Information is available at www.huntersmuggler.com.

CEC lands C-Springs contract The El Jebel based Clean Energy Collective has signed a contract with the city of Colorado Springs to build a communityowned solar garden at the former Templeton Gap landďŹ ll, according to a press release. The new solar array will provide solar power to 150-200 Colorado Springs utility customers.

The CEC’s community solar model allows residents the opportunity to purchase solar panels in the array to produce energy without having to build a system of their own.

BLM seeks pipeline input The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public comments on a natural gas pipeline proposal south of Rie, according to a press release.

Bargath LLC is proposing to construct the Kokopelli Phase II Pipeline, which would gather natural gas from east of lower Divide Creek and move it to processing facilities in Parachute.

The pipeline would be a buried 16-inch pipe line that would cross 22.3 miles from the Dry Hollow Compressor south of Silt to the Rulison Compressor near Anvil Points. The pipeline would be bored under the Colorado River to avoid impacts to the riverbed, aquatic wildlife and the adjacent riparian ecosystem.

Written comments should be sent to the BLM’s Colorado River Valley Field OfďŹ ce at 2300 River Frontage Road, Silt, CO 81652.

The following events are drawn from incident reports of the Carbondale Police Department.

Nov. 29 At 6:28 p.m., a woman called police expressing concern over all the police cars and Colorado State Patrol vehicles that were out and about. She was convinced some kind of “incidentâ€? was going on, according to police reports. An ofďŹ cer eventually convinced the woman that nothing was going on.

Nov. 29 At 11:27 a.m., in the 400 block of Eight Street, an ofďŹ cer issued a citation to a silver Taurus that was parked “directlyâ€? in front of a ďŹ re hydrant.

Dec. 8 At 3:38 p.m., police were dispatched to a report of a “large juvenile ďŹ ghtâ€? near the intersection of Eighth and Main streets. Police contacted three males who said they’d been “jumped.â€?

When asked if they wanted police to arrest the suspects, the three males “hesitated and avoided the question.�

Dec. 8 A woman called police and said she had bailed a man out of jail and now he was dealing drugs, which is a violation of his bond. The woman was unable to give details or provide information about his location. Police determined his address was not in the town limits.

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Labels aims to ease Carbondale’s shopping frustration

By Nicolette Toussaint

By Sopris Sun Correspondent Windsor Easley jets all over the United States buying brand-name goodies so that customers at Labels, Carbondale’s new outlet store, won’t have to.

Although Labels’ officially opened the first week of December, the new boutique already has regulars stopping by to see what’s new. The stock – which includes brands such as Victoria’s Secret, Hollister, Abercrombie & Fitch, Banana Republic, Calvin Klein, Evan Piccone, Kasper and Jones New York – is updated every three or four days.

Easley reports that recently, a teacher making her first visit to the store said that she decided to stop by because of her students. Her classroom had been abuzz, and she just had to see what all the fuss was about.

Labels carries brands that appeal to teens and also brands like Tommy Bahama, for men.

“I am filling a niche revealed by my own shopping frustration in the Valley,” says Windsor. “Not that you can’t find fine clothes in Basalt or Aspen. But if you want something nice at a reasonable price, the general population is stuck with Wal-Mart and Target. We’re bringing in designer brands at a discount, and the locals seem to be excited about what we’re offering.”

The “we” that Easley references is her husband Michael, and their friend Karen,

Michael (left) and Windsor Easley met a few years ago at Bistro Basalt. These days, they own and operate Labels, a brand-name outlet store in Red Rock Plaza. Photo by Jane Bachrach who is based in Texas and serves as a major buyer for the store. Visitors to the 2,000square foot store are most likely to meet Michael, who ran a construction firm in Basalt a few years ago, and who is now the primary shopkeeper.

Windsor tends the store when she’s in town, in between jaunts she makes for her

second job as a United Airlines flight attendant. “Michael runs the store more than I do, so he’s the man. He enjoys it,” she says.

“Tonight he had a hard time closing up and getting home because he was busy with customers.”

The couple met a few years ago in Basalt. “I was passing through, seeing a

girlfriend and I met Michael at the Bistro Basalt.” Romance struck and, as Windsor puts it, “that was kind of all she wrote!”

Windsor soon stopped flying full time and worked for Michael’s construction firm. But after the economy soured and building slowed, the couple decided to reinvent themselves by opening Labels.

Today, the miles that Windsor logs across the friendly skies enable her to snag bargains from across the country and beyond. Currently, locals will find Labels stocked with silk scarves from Italy, cashmere items and a wide selection of Victoria’s Secret apparel.

“We have a nice selection of handbags right now,” says Easley. “I just got some Brighton, Coach, and Kate Spade bags.

We’ve got some bling on hand.”

Given what Labels is offering – brand names at a discount – it would not be surprising if the Bonedale boutique lured shoppers down the valley from Aspen, but the Easleys’ focus is right here.

“We’re trying to get the feel for what locals are looking for,” says Windsor. “We want to be able to go shop for what people are looking for, and we will go out and bring it in. If you’re looking for specific brands and sizes, just say the word.”

Labels, which is located in the Red Rock Plaza on Highway 133, is open seven days a week until 7 p.m. It opens at 11 a.m. says Windsor, “But if you’re standing outside a bit before that, we’ll open the door.”

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Scuttlebutt

Send your scuttlebutt to news@SoprisSun.com.

Tune in Toward the end of the year, some KDNK DJs spin their “best of” faves. With more than 70 volunteer DJs pumping out tunes of their own choosing, the genres pretty much cover everything from blues and roots rock to jazz, electronic, rap and more.

A quick sampling from one DJ’s best of 2011 list includes: Rebecca Pidgeon, the Rev. Peyton’s Big Damn Band, John Popper & the Diskray Troubadours, Pistol Annie’s Hell on Heels, David Lynch (of “Blue Velvet” and “Twin Peaks” fame), Lipbone Redding, the Hogtown Sessions, Sonny Rollins, Levon Helm, El Rego, Gomez, the Gourds, Elephant Revival and two (count ‘em) tributes to Buddy Holly.

If any of you KDNK DJs are reading this, send your “best of 2011” to the Sun at news@soprissun.com. We’ll try to get them in.

KDNK-FM is the Roaring Fork Valley’s non-profit community radio station at 88.1 Carbondale/Glenwood, 88.3 Aspen, 88.5 Basalt/Redstone, 93.5 Leadville and 94.9 in Thomasville, or streaming worldwide at www.kdnk.org.

the town’s Christmas tree recycling corral last week? The tree is sort of a rust brown and deader than five-year-old beetle kill.

Holy cow, another cross A sharp-eyed Carbondalian reports spotting what for him is a new landmark last week.

He says that while heading from Glenwood to Carbondale on Highway 82, in the Cattle Creek area he noticed that recent snows had created a well-defined cross on whatever mountain is to the right of Mount Sopris. “It’s much better defined than the better known Mount of the Holy Cross in Eagle County,” he said. “Does the snow have to be just right for the cross to appear? What’s the deal?”

Business of the Year The Carbondale Chamber of Commerce is collecting nominations and votes for its 2011 Business of the Year. The deadline to cast a vote/nomination is Dec. 16. For details, call 963-1890.

Gianinettis make All-League

Yoga notes

Megan and Hatti Gianinetti, both juniors, were named to the 3A Western Slope AllLeague team this week. Earning honorable mention honors were juniors Taylor Adams, Madison Handy and Caitlin Kinney. Basalt High School’s Erika Hansen was named to AllLeague and Jenna Linden received honorable mention honors.

The Player of the Year was senior Kylie Tait of Olathe; the Co-Coaches of the Year were Dan Rosentreter of Olathe and Shana Benson of Gunnison.

As for the boy’s soccer team, junior Enrique Abarca and freshman Ben Carpenter made the 3A Western Slope All-League first team.

True Nature Healing Arts presents a meditation workshop with Rod Stryker titled “Illuminating the Cave of the Heart and Awakening the Power of Intention” from 3 to 4 p.m. on New Year’s Day. Info: 963-9900. Transformation Yoga, Fitness and Massage returns Yoga Works Teacher Training to Carbondale in 2012. Info: 309-6911.

Watch out for runners Dozens of runners are expected to race through town for Independence Run & Hike’s Jingle Bell Run on Sunday. The race goes from La Fontana Plaza to the top of White Hill and back. For details, check out this week’s Calendar.

Speaking of athletes

Yum, yum

Bill Hanks, father of RFHS alumnus Chris Hanks, replied to a Sun e-mail and informs us his son will be entering his 14th season in February as head baseball coach at Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction. “Last spring they got their 500th win under his tutelage,” Bill reports. Chris played minor league basetball in the Red Sox organization in the 1980s until injuries cut his career short.

The final school menu before Christmas break is as follows. Dec 15: (elementary school) roasted herb chicken, baked sweet potato, applesauce, biscuit with orange honey butter, milk; (middle school) bean and cheese tostada, Spanish rice, fresh pico de gallo, apple crisp, milk; (high school) Asian BBQ chicken over rice, fruit and vegetable bar, milk. Dec. 16: Cook’s Choice for all schools.

Seen around town

Birthday greetings go out to:

Who was that woman driving around town in a chicken costume on Sunday? And who was the bicyclist with his hands in his black parka pockets that rolled right through the stop sign at Eighth and Main Street on Monday? Who do you figure made the first deposit in

Ciarra Bristol and Lynn “Jake” Burton (Dec. 15), Daisy Tena and Kathy Ezra (Dec. 18), Frances Lewis and Shirley Bowen (Dec. 19), Don Butterfield and Tyler Thompson (Dec. 20) and Paula Fothergill and Jeremy Simon (Dec. 21).

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Get the most from those hot holiday tech toys

By Emily Hisel Special to The Sopris Sun If you are considering purchasing a new eReader or tablet for that special someone (or even yourself) this holiday season, you should know the libraries will be a fantastic resource once the wrapping paper has come off. The GarďŹ eld County Libraries realize that these are very fun, very powerful devices. And, we not only have the content you want, but we have the staff and programs to get you familiar with how to use our services on your new device.

For example, if you pick out a new Nook, Kindle, or other eReader, we have eBooks available for checkout through our â&#x20AC;&#x153;OverDriveâ&#x20AC;? database.

You just need a GarďŹ eld County library card number to get started. Depending on your device there will be different steps to take to download a book.

OverDrive has a Help menu that is actually helpful and will take you to instructions that are speciďŹ c to your device. In January the Gordon Cooper, New Castle, and RiďŹ&#x201A;e Branch Libraries will be hosting programs speciďŹ cally designed to help anyone learn how to do this. There are also friendly, helpful staff members throughout the county who can assist you if you call or come in.

If you are considering purchasing a tablet for Christmas, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll also ďŹ nd the library to be a great source of content and help. You still have access to OverDrive and all the items mentioned above. Plus, tablets such as the iPad have apps speciďŹ cally designed to make the process of downloading and reading eBooks on the go quick and easy.

From a tablet you will also have full Internet capabilities and can access the GarďŹ eld County Librariesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; website, www.gcpld.org. There you can renew books, check out the events calendar and explore the other incredible databases available.

Young children will enjoy watching and listening to books with the Tumblebooks database, anyone wanting to learn a new language can access Mango languages, or those who need auto repair help can take advantage of our subscription to Chiltonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s online database. The libraries also offer free wiďŹ so your device can get online even if you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a monthly connection plan.

If you are not sure what to buy, the library also has access to Consumer Reports. Come by or view it online for their latest on tech toys and all sorts of products. You can also ďŹ nd out if your device is OverDrive compatible (most, but not all, are); go to the OverDrive database and under â&#x20AC;&#x153;Getting Startedâ&#x20AC;? select â&#x20AC;&#x153;Supported eBook Devices.â&#x20AC;?

Have fun shopping for and playing with your new tech toys. And remember, the libraries are here with great eBooks and help if you need it.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;Śthe libraries are here with great eBooks and help if you need it.â&#x20AC;?

â&#x20AC;˘â&#x20AC;˘â&#x20AC;˘ GoToWorkshops@YourLibrary are computer development programs that teach adults basic computer and job seeking skills necessary to acquire and maintain steady, well-paid employment. Workshops will be held at all GarďŹ eld County Libraries for both English and English as a second language learners. They will be running from December through July (except in New Castle which will start holding workshops after the new library building is open). â&#x20AC;&#x153;Computers for Beginnersâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Job Searchingâ&#x20AC;? workshops will be held in December, with additional topics in the coming months.

Contact your local library for dates and times or visit www.gcpld.org for a complete calendar. Before you know it, you could be equipped with the tools needed to secure gainful employment in todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economy.

î&#x201A;&#x160;ree RE-1 schools receive improvement awards Submitted Press Release The Colorado Department of Education has announced that three schools in the Roaring Fork RE-1 School District â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Basalt Elementary School, Basalt Middle School and Glenwood Springs High School â&#x20AC;&#x201C; will be receiving the Governorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Distinguished Improvement award, representing the top 8 percent of schools in the state.This is the second year in a row for Basalt Middle School and a ďŹ rst for Basalt Elementary and Glenwood Springs High School. Carbondale Middle School was a recipient of the award in 2010. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Statewide recognition, be it for students, staff or schools, is an opportunity to make all of our communities more aware of the exceptional education students in the Roaring Fork School District receive,â&#x20AC;? said Superintendent Judy Haptonstall. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are all very proud of the work being done in our district and its positive impact on kids.â&#x20AC;?

The 2011 Governorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Distinguished Improvement awards honor schools that exceed expectations on increasing student growth from one year to the next. Commissioner Robert Hammond states in his letter to superintendents, â&#x20AC;&#x153;These schools demonstrate the highest levels of growth for not just some students but all student groups.â&#x20AC;?

Jeremy Voss, principal at Basalt Middle School, weighed in with his comments regarding the award saying, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Students, parents, and the BMS faculty should feel proud of the strong effort they made to earn this recognition.â&#x20AC;?

BMS staff over the last few years has been intentional about classroom instruction, which has led the district in practices that engage students in evaluating their own learning in relation to the effort they have put in.

Kids have learned that being successful in school is not about luck but about hard work and effort. Kids have developed much more conďŹ dence in their abilities and their conďŹ dence translates to success in school.

Suzanne Wheeler-Del Piccolo, principal at Basalt Elementary School, was pleased as well. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Teachers, students and parents have been working hard to improve the reading, writing and math scores of our students, said Del-Piccolo. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This honor reďŹ&#x201A;ects the commitment, focus and efforts of the entire Basalt Elementary School community.â&#x20AC;?

BES has focused on many best practices over the last few years with an added em-

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phasis on student engagement in the classroom. Changing how students interact in classrooms about their learning and how they respond to teacher questioning is an example of a small change that has a big payoff for kids and their learning.

Glenwood Springs High School has chosen to increase the focus on teaching practices and has substantially increased the time spent on conducting longer observations of classes accompanied by coaching and mentoring from administrators and master teachers. The increased expertise of teachers pays great dividends for students in the classroom. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This award reďŹ&#x201A;ects the commitment to high achievement and excellence in education of our teachers, students, parents and the wider Glenwood Springs community,â&#x20AC;? said Paul Freeman, principal at Glenwood Springs High School.

All the way from Nederland, Colo., Bonnie Paine and Elephant Revival brought their â&#x20AC;&#x153;transcendental folkâ&#x20AC;? to Carbondale for the third time, on Dec. 10, and packed the PAC3. December looks like one of the busiest months to date for the Third Street Center venue, with roadhouse rocker Marcia Ball on Dec. 16, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy on Dec. 18, Motet (with Euforquestra) on Dec. 29 and Young Dubliners on Dec. 30. For details, go to www.pac3carbondale.com. Photo by Jane Bachrach

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Equine therapy continued om page 1 H O L I DAY E N C O R E P E R F O R M A N C E

arena giving onlookers a taste of what their program is about and showing how and why horses are so valuable as partners to assist in healing humans. Gibbs and Gaynor used three horses and volunteers from the audience for their enlightening demonstrations.

The model Although there are several models for using horses in therapy situations, the most respected, according to experts, is the EGALA (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association) model, in which therapists work as a team. Therapists must be certified and attend continuing education workshops. Unlike therapeutic riding, all EAGALA activities are conducted on the ground with the horses and there must be a certified mental health professional and certified equine specialist professional at all therapeutic sessions.

Why use horses?

ANNIE DECEMBER 16TH - 23RD at the

WHEELER OPERA HOUSE

There are a number of reasons. Among them, according to the EAGALA Web site, “Horses are honest, which makes them especially powerful messengers. Naturally intimidating to many, horses are large and powerful. This creates a natural opportunity for some to overcome fear and develop confidence. Working alongside a horse, in spite of those fears, creates confidence and provides wonderful insight when dealing with other intimidating and challenging situations in life. … Most importantly, horses mirror human body language. Many complain, ‘This horse is stubborn. That horse doesn't like me,’ etc. The lesson is that if they change themselves, the horses respond.”

Since the beginning, horses have played an integral part in America’s growth. After the introduction of the automobile, folks, other than ranchers, no longer had to rely on true horsepower, so horses became “second class citizens”and were mostly used for sport and pleasure.

Today, health care professionals have discovered the value of horses, and are using horsepower to their advantage: to heal.

An equine therapy demonstration at Strang Ranch showed how horses can help humans to heal. Photo by Beth White

“Horsepower” in Carbondale’s future?

Who knows? One can only speculate. We do know that WindWalkers’ goal is to purchase the property that it currently leases in Missouri Heights. They’re just waiting for a donor/donors to step up. If that happens, they would like to start an equine assisted therapy and activities center on a much larger scale, which would broaden the opportunities for equine assisted therapy in Carbondale.

The possibilities are endless, including a collaborative effort or venture between some of the therapists mentioned above.

Note: As one of the volunteers that participated in the demonstration with Gaynor, Gibbs and the three horses, one of the personal insights I gained through my experience was how important it was for me to get the word out about the healing power of horses so that people can learn about this therapeutic option and take advantage of it.

CRES celebrates the season in song

music by

CHARLES STROUSE lyrics by

Sopris Sun Staff Report

MARTIN CHARNIN book by

THOMAS MEEHAN with AILEEN QUINN STAR OF THE ORIGINAL “ANNIE” MOVIE!

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FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT THEATREASPEN.ORG 8 • THE SOPRIS SUN • DECEMBER 15, 2011

Here is a scene from last season’s Crystal River Elementary School holiday choir performance. Photo by Trina Ortega

The Aspen Choral Society’s annual Messiah has become a holiday tradition for many in the valley. It is a grand performance that, once again, shows how the Roaring Fork Valley is teeming with dedicated vocalists and music lovers.

But there is another lesser-known holiday performance that should be added to the must-see list to get you in the holiday spirit. It is the Crystal River Elementary School choir’s annual holiday performance. This year’s show takes place at 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 15, at the Carbondale Middle School auditorium.

For this musical celebration, CRES music teacher Amber Bate conducts approximately 80 to 90 CRES page 9

Carbondale Middle School inspires young novelists Students wrote 1,000-1,700 words a day

By Debbie Bruell Sopris Sun Correspondent Where can you find a lazy, selfish teenager who finds herself in an unknown world where people are sent to get a second chance in life; a group of cousins who are working together to bring back their fathers who were deported to Mexico; and a nomadic boy traveling across cold mountains to prove his leadership skills?

You can find these characters, and many more, in the novels of Carbondale Middle School students who participated in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) this past November.

This year marked the third year that Adam Carballeira, CMS language arts teacher, has encouraged his students to join the hundreds of thousands of other children and adults throughout the world who participate in NaNoWriMo and set a personal goal of writing a novel in one month. Participants start a novel from scratch on Nov. 1, aim to write about 1,000-1,700 words each day, and try to complete their novel (about 100-175 pages) by midnight on Nov. 30.

According to their Web site, NaNoW-

riMo is about reaching your word goal every day and not spending time worrying about how good it is: “By forcing yourself to write so intensely, you are giving yourself permission to make mistakes. To forgo the endless tweaking and editing and just create. To build without tearing down.”

About 200,000 people around the world participated in NaNoWriMo in 2010, and 30,000 actually stuck with it, reaching their word goal and completing their novel by the end of the month.

NaNoWriMo includes a Young Writers Program, which allows kids to set their own word-count goals. At CMS this year 21 kids completed novels, and about half of those reached their total word goals, which ranged from 20,000-50,000 words.

Carballeira explains that he always offers NaNoWriMo to his language arts students as a choice: they can either continue their normal routine of reading and reviewing published writings by various authors, or they can create a story of their own. He finds that students who participate in NaNoWriMo begin to question the “common belief that we get joy from laying around doing nothing. In truth, we get joy when we are deeply engaged ... when we practice and attempt things that are really hard.”

Every year that Carballeira has offered NaNoWriMo to his students he participates in the project himself. As he explained, “It would be really hard to motivate the kids if

I weren’t doing it too.”

For CMS novelist Tavia Teitler, “One of the really cool things that helped me get through the month was having friends and a

They learn about procrastination and creativity.” He also finds that these students “grow in reading as much as writing. It makes them read in a whole different way, and appreciate literature much more deeply.”

Although all the students agreed that writing for hours every day for a month and sticking with their story from start to finish was hard work, -- CMS novelist Chloe Brand most of them said they would do it teacher at school all bouncing ideas off each again. As CMS novelist Joselinne Medrano other, and supporting and encouraging each commented,“I’m glad I’ll have my own time other through it all.” now, but I’ll really miss the feeling that I was Carballeira has found that kids who par- in another place while I wrote my book.” ticipate in NaNoWriMo learn as much According to CMS novelist Chloe Brand, about writing techniques and story elements “it’s a lot of fun and totally worth every as they do about themselves. As he told the crazy minute ... it helps give you confidence Sun,“They learn about setting difficult goals in yourself that if you can write a novel you and making sacrifices to achieve those goals. can do anything.”

“ … if you can write a novel you can do anything.”

CRES continued om page 8 fourth-grade students in a handful of songs about Christmas, Hanukkah and the winter season. Students will be singing in several different languages, according to Bate, a Carbondale native, who has taught music at CRES for nine years.

“We will once again be graced by Mr. Corey Madsen serenading the students with his fantastic guitar playing. I am also hoping to have a special guest appearance by Santa Claus,” Bate said. “This performance offers the community a chance to join together to celebrate the many different traditions of the season in a multicultural setting.”

The performance is free and suitable for all ages. It lasts about 40 minutes. For further information, contact the school at 384-5620.

Holiday Hours: Open Daily Noon to 7pm

Come see our inspired collection of children and baby items.

Unique and artful - they are sure to delight!

Open Tuesday-Friday 12-6; Saturday 11-5

Inspirational and caroling music lead by local artists Jimmy Byrne and Lisa Dancing-Light

968 Main Street, Carbondale | www.dancingcoloursstudio.com | 970-963-2965 THE SOPRIS SUN • DECEMBER 15, 2011 • 9

Community Calendar THURSDAY Dec. 15

To list your event, email information to news@soprissun.com. Deadline is 5 p.m. Saturday. Events take place in Carbondale unless noted. For up-to-the-minute valley-wide event listings, check out the Community Calendar online at soprissun.com. View and submit events online at soprissun.com/calendar.

showtix.com or theatreaspen.org.

LIVE MUSIC â&#x20AC;˘ Steveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Guitars in the old part of the Dinkel Building presents Pete Kartsounes and Dave Bruzza at 8:30 p.m.

Tickets are $15. Info: www.greenskybluegrass.com ROTARY â&#x20AC;˘ The Mt. Sopris Rotary Club meets at Mi Casita every Thursday at noon.

THEATRE â&#x20AC;˘ Thunder River Theatre Company presents â&#x20AC;&#x153;Always â&#x20AC;Ś Patsy Clineâ&#x20AC;? at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15-18. Info: 963-8200.

HORSE BOUTIQUE â&#x20AC;˘ Healthy Horse Boutique holds a trunk show for horse lovers from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at 489 Rose Lane (near the Carbondale rodeo arena).

Info: www.healthyhorseboutique.com

FRIDAY Dec. 16 MOVIES â&#x20AC;˘ The Crystal Theatre presents â&#x20AC;&#x153;Like Crazyâ&#x20AC;? (PG-13) at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16-22 and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Margin Callâ&#x20AC;? (R) at 5:15 p.m.

Dec. 16-20.

LIVE MUSIC â&#x20AC;˘ Steveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Guitars olds a 10th anniversary celebration for its Friday night music series. Info: 963-3304.

LIVE MUSIC â&#x20AC;˘ PAC3 in the Third Street Center presents roadhouse rocker Marcia Ball.

THE WHEELER â&#x20AC;˘ The Broadway hit â&#x20AC;&#x153;Annieâ&#x20AC;? is presented by Theatrer Aspen at the Wheeler Opera House through Dec. 23.

The cast includes Aileen Quinn, who played the lead role of Annie in the 1982 ďŹ lm. She returns to the musical as the con artist Lily St. Regis. Info: 920-5770, aspen-

DURRANCE SPEAKS â&#x20AC;˘ The Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association hosts a presentation by photographer/motivational speaker Dick Durrance from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Grand Restaurant (inside the King Mall). The cost is $25 per person and space is limited. Reservations: 945-6589.

HOOPS â&#x20AC;˘ The Roaring Fork girlâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s basketball team takes on Eagle Valley in Carbondale at 5:30 p.m., while the boys face Eagle Valley at 7 p.m.

SATURDAY Dec. 17 CONTRA DANCE â&#x20AC;˘ A community contra dance is held at the Third Street Center the third Saturday of the month. It starts at 7:30 p.m. and there are different callers and bands every month. Admission is $8.

Info: 306-9721.

SANTA VISIT TOWN â&#x20AC;˘ Santa visits the Gordon Cooper Library from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Besides Santa thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll also be Christmas stories and gingerbread man decorating. â&#x20AC;&#x153;THE NUTCRACKERâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;˘ Crystal River Ballet School celebrating a decade of performing â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Nutcrackerâ&#x20AC;? at Carbondale Middle School on Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. and on Dec. 18 at 4 p.m. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The production has changed a little bit every year but, still fol-

lows the traditional story every year of Claraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s battle with the rat queen and journey to the Land of the Sweets,â&#x20AC;? said Crystal River Ballet School Director Ms. Jeni. Tickets are available at the door and a low family rate is available.

Info: 704-0114.

FESTIVAL OF LESSONS & CAROLS â&#x20AC;˘ St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Glenwood hosts its annual Festival of Lessons & Carols at 7 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.). Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be readings, choir music and carols, accompanied by musicians from Symphony in the Valley. The event is free and families are welcome. Karen Tafejian is music director.

SUNDAY Dec. 18 SOLSTICE CEREMONY â&#x20AC;˘ Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be a community solstice celebration at the Third Street Center from 5 to 7 p.m. featuring a bonďŹ re solstice ceremony, OM Puppet Theatre presentation of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lin Yiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lantern,â&#x20AC;? music by Jimmy Byrne, sing-alongs, warm drinks and snacks. Info: 987-3140 or www.tworiversuu.org.

CHRISTMAS RUN â&#x20AC;˘ Independence Run

& Hike holds its third annual Jingle Bell Run and Shoe Drive at 11 a.m. The 5K run is an out and back from Independence Run & Hike in La Fontana Plaza to St. Mary of the Crown Catholic church at the top of White Hill. The course starts on the Rio Grande Trail the continues to Eighth Street, onto Merrill Avenue, through town to Sopris Avenue, then up White Hill and back to the store. The race beneďŹ ts Soles4Souls and the ďŹ rst 50 runners to donate a pair of shoes will receive a coupon for a Dos Gringos burrito and drink. The entry fee is $10.

For details, call 704-0909.

LIVE MUSIC â&#x20AC;˘ PAC3 in the Third Street Center presents retro-swingers Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.

POETRY â&#x20AC;˘ The Hotel Lenado (200 S. Aspen St. in Aspen) hosts a live poetry night/winter celebration from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be live music from Frank Todaro, Dave Taylor and John Harrison, an open mic for poets and special drink prices.

Info: 379-2136.

MONDAY Dec. 19 ZUMBA â&#x20AC;˘ Zumba â&#x20AC;&#x153;Blasts the PAC3â&#x20AC;? from 6 to 7 p.m. Info: 945-8822.

JAM SESSION â&#x20AC;˘ Carbondale Beer Works hosts an old-fashion jam session every other Monday at 7 p.m.

TUESDAY Dec. 20 SCROOGE ON TRIAL â&#x20AC;˘ A workshop presentation of â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Trial of Ebenezer Scroogeâ&#x20AC;? is present at the Third Street CenCALENDAR page 11

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Get by with a little help from your friends.

Food for families in need is available at LIFT-UPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 7 area food pantries. Support from our caring community makes the work of LIFT-UP possible.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s community spirit in action, since 1982.

Mid-Valley Food Pantries Carbondale: Third Street Center, 520 South 3rd Street, #35 Monday, Wednesday & Friday: 10am-12:30pm â&#x20AC;˘ 963-1778

Basalt: Basalt Community United Methodist Church, 167 Holland Hills Rd. Wednesday & Thursday: 11am-1pm â&#x20AC;˘ 279-1492 Learn more at www.liftup.org and join us on facebook!

10 â&#x20AC;˘ THE SOPRIS SUN â&#x20AC;˘ DECEMBER 15, 2011

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Community Calendar ter at 7:30 p.m. The premise is one year after Scrooge gets a new life, he realizes he has been duped and decides to prosecute Jacob Marley and the ghosts of Christmas (past, present and future) for kidnapping and extortion. All ends happily, however, in this family-oriented play. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students.

WEDNESDAY Dec. 21

from page 10

letes, students, seniors, Rotary, teachers, Latinos, Anglos and pretty much everyone else. There’ll be a jazz combo featuring living legend Walt Smith on piano. “We hope to get together folks to mingle, make a toast to Carbondale and listen to some fine jazz music,” said KDNK Station Manager Steve Skinner. “Come toast the town and celebrate community.”

ROTARY • Carbondale Rotary meets at the firehouse Wednesdays at 7 a.m.

LIVE MUSIC • White House pizza, overlooking Main Street, presents Greg Masse (great covers and originals).

SOCIAL MIXER • KDNK throws a “social mixer” at PAC3 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. on Dec. 21. It’s free. The idea is to bring together the business community, artists, ath-

OPEN MIC • Dan Rosenthal hosts open mic nights at Rivers restaurant in Glenwood Springs every Wednesday from 8 to 10 p.m.

Further Out

THURSDAY Dec. 22 PHOTOGRAPHER’S RECEPTION • A reception for photographer Nora Feller takes place from 6 to 8 p.m. at Ann Korologos Gallery in Basalt. The gallery is showing more

than 30 of Feller’s portraits, including those of Julia Child, the Dalai Lama, Madonna, Prince Rainier, Malcolm Forbes, David Hockney, Sean Penn and Kelsey Grammer.

Hold the Presses KDNK AIRS VCR FORUM • KDNK airs a Q&A style forum on the Village at Crystal River from 6 to 7 p.m. on Dec. 19. KDNK News Director Eric Skalac will moderate the show and one representative from each side will take part. Carbondale voters will decide in late January whether to approve the 23-acre mixed use development along Highway 133 and Main Street. KDNK-FM can be found at 88.1, 88.3, 88.5, 93.5 and 94.9, or streaming worldwide at www.kdnk.org.

SPRUCE UP THE SUN COVER CONTEST ENTRIES DUE • The deadline to drop off entries to The Sopris Sun’s coloring contest is Dec. 16. The Sun has a drop box in front of our door so entries after closing time will be accepted. Please include your name, grade level and phone number.

The Sopris Sun is located at the end of the Long Hall in the Third Street Center (520 S. Third).

CLAY CENTER HOLDS KIDS’ SALE • The Carbondale Clay Center holds a special kids’ sale and

Ongoing CCAH • The Carbondale Council on Arts and Humanities’ “Hand to Heart” handcrafted gifts show continues through the holiday season. Arts include: Laurel Astor (pastel paintings), Ginny Beesley (pottery), Stanley Bell (paintings), Tanya Black (fabric art), Jenna Bradford (fabric art), Staci Dickerson (paintings), Melanie Finnen (textile art), Sandie Gardner (pottery), Kathy Hansel (jewelry), Norrie Hoffman (crochet hats), Alexandra Jerkunica (painted ballet shoes), Bob McCool (photography), Brad Reed Nelson (wood), David Moore (turned bowls), Rochelle Norwood (hand-made chocolates), David Powers (blown and sculptural glass), Erin Rigney (paintings), Tom Semborski (metal sculpture), Lisa Singer (cards) and Matt Suby (photography). The CCAH R2 Gallery’s holiday hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., plus Dec. 17 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Info: 963-1680.

CLAY CENTER • The Carbondale Clay Center continues its 2011 Holiday Invitational through Dec. 30. Featured ceramists include: H.P. Bloomer, Tony Wise, John Cohorst, Nathan Bray, Lyla Goldstein, Avi Arenfeld, Tyler McGinn, Casey Coffman, CJ Jilek, Elizabeth Farson, K Rhynus Cesark, Shawn

O’Connor, Lusterbunny, Diane Kenney, Sarah Moore, Donie Hubbard, Charlie Childress, Mary Ballou, Sue Tirrell, Katie Kitchen, Lisa Maher, Tom Jaszczak, Ronan Peterson, Tammie Lane and Gail Burtik. The Carbondale Clay Center is located at the east end of Main Street. Info: 963-2529.

WINTER FEST • The Glenwood Springs Center for the Arts’ Winterfest show features Joy Commons, Dan Glidden, Betsy Blackard, Ewa Lachur- Omeljaniuk, Chad Zanca, Mary Blichmann, Dara Barth, Nancy Helser, Phyllis Hackett, Anne Ramsay, Tara Vetter, Anne Moll, Sinda Wood, Barbara Jean Swan, Sara Ward, Kellie Philburn, Jennifer Miller, Randi Garcia, Sandy Richards, Jamie Spry, Marcia Fuscaro, Jessica Kidd, Terry Muldoon, Noemi Kosmowski, Kristoff Kosmowski and Kari Doerr. The show continues through Jan 3.

The Glenwood Springs Center for the Arts is located east of the Hot Springs Pool. Info: 945-2414.

GRIEF GROUP • Hospice of the Valley, in partnership with Grand River Hospital, is offering an ongoing Grief and Loss Support Group that meets the first and third Monday of every month. Info: 544-1574.

ornament painting from 4 to 6 p.m. on Dec. 15. Prices for kids range from $2-$8; ornaments to paint are $4. The Clay Center is located at the east end of Main Street. All kids must be accompanied by an adult. Info: 963-2529.

CCAH OPEN LATE • The Carbondale Council on Arts and Humanities’ R2 Gallery is open until 7 p.m. on Dec. 15. More than 20 local artists are included in the “Hand to Heart” show, and works range from $5 to $300. Several will be on hand to discuss their work.

WINTER SOLSTICE CONCERT RETURNS • Jan Garrett, J.D. Martin and guests give a Winter Solstice concert at the Community Church in Aspen (200 E. Bleeker St.) at 7 p.m. on Dec. 21.

There’ll be new songs, carol singing and candle lighting. Tickets are $20 at the door ($10 for kids).

For details, go to www.garrett-martin.com.

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THE SOPRIS SUN • DECEMBER 15, 2011 • 11

Community Briefs Friday Night Live returns

Christmas Bird Count coming soon

The Carbondale Recreation Center’s Friday Night Live returns from 9 to 11 p.m. on Dec. 16. This month’s Friday Night Live is hosted by the Roaring Fork High School Student Council.

“I have been speaking with Teddy Benge and Kenia Reyna (Student Council co-presidents) about the idea,” said Recreation Center Manager Eric Brendlinger.“I was amazed at the number of kids involved in the Student Council, and when I presented the idea to the group last week, they liked the idea and are willing to help produce the event. We are going to partner with them and make this first high school FNL a success and a potential fund raiser for their group.”

Brendlinger said the long-term plan for Friday Night Live is to partner with school groups that are looking for additional exposure or fundraising opportunities. “By involving the youth as partners I feel that we will be using our facility in a manner that it was intended for,” Brendlinger said. “The Carbondale Recreation & Community Center can provide a venue for healthy extracurricular activities that ultimately benefits the youth groups willing to put in the necessary effort to create the event. It is a win-win.”

The recreation center will be open for basketball, climbing and other activities, including an open mic for musicians in the lobby.

The entrance fee is $4. Peppinos pizza slices are $1 each and sodas are a buck. For details, call 704-4190.

The Roaring Fork Audubon Society’s 36th annual Christmas Bird Count is Dec. 17 and the public is invited to take part.

“This is important citizen science that combines our local results with those from other countries in our hemisphere - from Canada through South America,” said Roaring Fork Audubon spokeswoman Mary Harris. “Cornell and National Audubon will compile the data to get a snapshot of bird health on our side of the earth.”

The count will begin at 7 a.m. and break for lunch and a mid-day warm up.“You are welcome for the entire day or just part,” Harris said.

Glenwood Springs residents should contact Tom McConnell at immac@rof.net or 379-7356. Midvalley residents should contact either Linda Vidal at birder2008@ gmail.com or 704-9599, Mary Harris at smnharris@gmail.com or 963-0319, or Dave Clark at clark@sopris.net or 963-3479.

Thrift Shop publishes cookbook The Aspen Thrift Shop recently published “Aspen Cooks: Recipes from the Thrift Shop of Aspen,” a collection of recipes from longtime residents and restaurants.

The spiral hardcover cookbook features 10 colorfully designed chapters illustrated with photographs from around Aspen, as well as a number of original artworks. All recipes have been tested and are rated Easy, Intermediate, or Difficult, defined by sym-

bols found on ski slopes. “Black Diamonds are the most difficult,” said Thrift Shop spokeswoman Sherri Draper. There is an extensive index so that favorite recipes or ingredients can be found quickly. “Aspen Cooks” also features helpful altitude cooking tips.

Proceeds from sales of “Aspen Cooks” will benefit The Thrift Shop of Aspen, whose mission is to sell donated goods at affordable prices, to engage in communitybuilding activities, to make grants to other nonprofit organizations in the Roaring Fork Valley and to provide scholarships to Roaring Fork Valley area high school graduates.

The Thrift Shop of Aspen granted $500,000 to 100 non-profit groups in the Roaring Fork Valley in 2011. Recipients of the monthly grant cycle include groups working with the arts, community services, education, environment, youth activities, plus five college scholarships.

The Thrift Shop of Aspen, located downtown next to the fire station, is entirely operated by volunteers and was founded in 1949.

Draper said “Aspen Cooks” is three years in the making. The Cookbook Committee was chaired by Margaret Simmons and included Jane Dinsmoor, Carolyn Moore and Linda Vaughn. Others also helped choose and test the recipes.

The store hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday through Saturday, plus Tuesdays from 4 to 7 p.m.

BLM extends comment period The Bureau of Land Management will extend the public comment period on its draft Colorado River Valley Resource Management Plan until Jan. 17, 2012, according to a press release.

The plan will provide a framework to guide subsequent management decisions on 505,000 surface acres and 707,000 acres of subsurface mineral estate administered by the BLM Field Office in Eagle, Garfield, Mesa, Pitkin, Rio Blanco and Routt counties for the next several decades.

Avalanche closed for bighorn sheep The Forest Service has closed the Avalanche Creek area south of Carbondale to reduce stress and disturbance on bighorn sheep in their winter range.

“Research shows that even what appear to be small reactions by sheep to people, traffic and dogs cause impacts over a period of months in terms of raised stress levels, increased metabolism and decreased food intake,” said Forest Service biologist Phil Nyland.

Avalanche Creek, located east of Highway 133, is a popular place for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. The closure is in effect until May 1.

Community Campus open house An open house for the Basalt Community Campus is scheduled for 5 to 7 p.m. on Dec. 16 at the Basalt Regional Library. Community Campus organizers will explain conceptual site plan ideas and take input.

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12 • THE SOPRIS SUN • DECEMBER 15, 2011

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Letters continued î&#x2C6;&#x2021;om page 2 sneakers. It worked!

For years and years she taught every manner of needle arts up and down the valley, from Aspen to RiďŹ&#x201A;e. She could make her absolutely most inept sewer feel cheerful. I know â&#x20AC;&#x201C; it was me. She had all sorts of obscure knowledge, gained from years of hard work. For example, if you get a spot of blood on the wedding gown you are creating, you can get it out best by using your own saliva!

She went to Japan with Louise Jackson and a group of Girl Scouts. Emmy loved to travel and was interested in all sorts of customs and people.

One of her most impressive efforts was her leadership with a Colorado Mountain College trip to one of the poorest parts of Nicaragua, where she helped the residents establish a sewing co-operative. She and her granddaughter helped raise, penny by penny, the funds for a school.

For ages, Emmy and her friend, Henrietta Lake, were major forces at the GarďŹ eld County Fair, getting participants, judging, and herding 4-Hers around.

What an amazing contributor to our whole valley! Blessings be with you, Emmy, as well as untold Love.

Pat Fender Carbondale

To Carbondale voters Dear Editor: I recently attended our local Rotary Club meeting and heard an interesting pres-

entation by Louis Meyer, principal of Schmueser, Gordon, and Meyer Engineers and Surveyors.

SGM has been providing engineering consultation services to Carbondale as well as towns across Colorado for the past 30 years. Louisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; presentation focused on Carbondale municipal infrastructure and its history. He presented a â&#x20AC;&#x153;report cardâ&#x20AC;? evaluating the overall condition of Carbondaleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s municipal assets.

Louis said the town founders in 1887 had no conception our little mountain would grow to its current population of over 6,000 residents. As you can imagine with such dramatic growth, the town has been behind the curve in keeping up with the maintenance requirements for much of its infrastructure. With most of the townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s infrastructure now over 50 years old and the federal government continually coming out with new EPA regulations, the town of Carbondale is facing horrendous problems in determining where the money is going to come from to maintain, update and replace its existing infrastructure. These are hard facts that cannot be ignored.

Another hard fact is many of Carbondaleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s residents are having a very tough time surviving with our valleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s current depressed economic condition. Good people are leaving our valley because of the constant struggle trying to make ends meet in Carbondale.

Carbondale residents need to think about how we can increase tax revenues, local

Ring the bells that still can ring Forget your perfect offering There is a crack in everything Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s how the light gets in.

business activity and create jobs. Doing so is not just a nicety, but a necessity. We currently have an opportunity to increase all three by voting yes for the Village at Crystal River.

There are those who say such a project will kill downtown businesses and destroy the existing small-town ďŹ&#x201A;avor of Carbondale. I ďŹ nd this hard to believe. The local downtown business owners I know tell me they believe VCR will increase activity at their business by making the entire town, not just the Village at Crystal River, a great place to come and shop, eat and enjoy entertainment.

Additionally, adding such a project will create hundreds of immediate jobs to build it and 145 long term-jobs to support all the new businesses.

To those who believe the Village at Crystal River will destroy the small-town ďŹ&#x201A;avor of Carbondale, I ďŹ nd it hard to believe that adding such a project will have such an effect.

Rather, I believe VCR will add to the desirability of living in our wonderful little town.

Jack G. Gausnell Carbondale

Growing up in Carbondale Dear Editor: I have had the luxury of growing up in Carbondale, traveling overseas and going to college outside of Colorado, where I have observed many other communities and cultures.

It is always a comfort to me to move back each time and recognize both the familiar iconic features, like the Crystal The-

atre and Village Smithy, and the new inďŹ&#x201A;ux of artistic venues, like the PAC 3 and rotating downtown artwork. I am dismayed to think that we may be trading our strong downtown identity and incredible uniqueness for the sprawl of unwarranted housing and business.

Before leaving for graduate school, I worked in the county assessorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ofďŹ ce and was horriďŹ ed at the incredible number of monthly foreclosures. I see empty businesses and bank-owned houses on every street in Carbondale and I have to wonder â&#x20AC;&#x153;why citizens would support 100+ new residences with several decadesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; worth of available housing already on the market?â&#x20AC;?

I am also upset that the grocery store will be removed from the downtown core, making it far less pedestrian accessible for most residents, as well as the Carbondale seniors living in the housing on Hendrick Drive.

I am one of those college graduates now looking for work in a dispirited economy, as is my brother, who graduates in the next few weeks from CSU. With gas at nearly $4 per gallon and groceries continually rising, why would any of us wish to elevate our costs and diminish our depressed paychecks by paying 1 percent more for groceries over the next several decades?

It is a new paradigm in a new world. We cannot buy our way out of this depression with an empty mall sprawl and elevated sales tax.

Jade Moss Carbondale

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Come celebrate lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s little imperfections!

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Heather Rydell

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THE SOPRIS SUN â&#x20AC;˘ DECEMBER 15, 2011 â&#x20AC;˘ 13

Tip: Buy American beef this Christmas Last year, I suggested that you try roasting a leg of lamb for Christmas dinner, as a reasonably economical alternative to another turkey so soon after Thanksgiving. This year we need to stimulate the economy and support American, maybe even Roaring Fork Valley, producers. What better excuses are there for splurging on fabulous beef tenderloin?

Another excuse is that the price of beef tenderloin typically drops several dollars per pound leading up to the holidays, perhaps because so many of us go the turkey route and grocers need to keep that beef moving. Whole tenderloins that normally sell for $15 dollars per pound often drop to $9-$10. Tenderloins weigh around five to six pounds, so you can feed your whole gathering exquisitely tender beef for what one or two persons might pay in a fancy restaurant.

There are several routes you can go to get that meat ready to cook. The most economical requires a little work on your part – buying a whole, untrimmed tenderloin in its cryovac bag. This can be a bit messy and intimidating to the squeamish cook, but I view it as almost fun, and the trimmings can be made into little beefy treats or shish kabobs. If you’re not into this type of thing, ask the butcher to do it for you.

To trim a tenderloin, prepare a large cutting area and a

By Chef George Bohmfalk sharp knife. Remove the meat from the bag, draining the juices into the sink. Your first goal is to remove the inch-diameter side chain that runs almost the entire length. Poke around a little, perhaps peeling off some of the superficial encasing membranes, and the chain should be apparent.

You can almost strip it off with your fingers, using the knife where it’s more closely attached. Set this chain aside, to trim later and transform into shish kabobs, beef tartare, or the best ground beef you’ll ever have.

One end of the tenderloin sprouts a fist-sized tapered piece of meat about six inches long, like the little part of a checkmark. This is great meat, and you can either trim away the fat deep down in the cleft where it joins the main portion, or cut this piece free to cook separately.

Now go for the white – trim away as much of the white bits of fat, silverskin, and other non-meat tissue as you have patience for without cutting into the main substance

The Fork

that Roared

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14 • THE SOPRIS SUN • DECEMBER 15, 2011

of the tenderloin. It’s fine to leave little bits of fat here and there; they’ll melt away in the cooking. If you removed the smaller chunk, you should be left with a beautiful piece of meat resembling a stretched-out football, tapered at each end, about three inches in diameter at the center. If you slice this crosswise into thick steaks, you have filet mignon, but for special occasions I prefer cooking the tenderloin whole.

Such an expensive, tender, potentially delicious piece of meat demands only one thing: not to be overcooked. Depending on size, temperature and proximity to the coals, it’s possible to cook a beef tenderloin in 12 minutes on a hot grill, 30 minutes in an oven, or two hours in a 200-degree smoker. The critical end-point is the meat’s internal temperature, which can easily be measured with a $10 instant-read meat thermometer. For a lovely, medium-rare, pink center, I cook tenderloins, by whichever technique, to 130 degrees.

With all the variables, I never know exactly how long that might take.

Preferred method My preferred method is to sear the meat’s surface in a large skillet, or over a hot grill, and finish the cooking in the oven, which shortens oven time and produces a nice crusted surface. For this, heat the oven to 400 degrees and get a large skillet, preferably castiron, good and hot. If your skillet won’t accommodate this long piece of meat, cut the meat in two. Rub a thin coat of olive, canola, or just about any other oil, all over the meat, then sprinkle it liberally with salt and pepper.

Sear or grill the meat on all sides until a nice brown crust has formed. Then place the skillet and meat in the oven. Check internal temperature after about 10 minutes, and every few minutes afterward until it’s reached 130 degrees. Remove the meat from the skillet, set on a plate, and cover loosely with foil to rest for at least 10 minutes. The meat continues to cook a bit from the “carryover” heat, and the juices, which have been driven by the heat toward the cooler center of the meat, will redistribute back into the outer areas.

I like to slice this beautiful meat into about half-inch thick pieces. You can stir a little softened butter into the juices that ooze out onto the plate while the meat rests, and that should be all the sauce needed. If you’re really feeling indulgent, whip up some Béarnaise sauce, the classic complement to beef tenderloin. A little sour cream mixed with horseradish is the traditional British favorite.

Enjoy, and have a safe and happy holiday!

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Ken Salazar keeps searching for the middle ground

By Kate Sheppard High Country News Nearly every story about Ken Salazar mentions his cowboy hat. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hard not to; there arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t a lot of politicians or bureaucrats â&#x20AC;&#x201C; particularly Democrats â&#x20AC;&#x201C; in D.C. who can get away with wearing one and not come off as a wannabe. Today, though, Salazarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s white hat and blue, pearl-buttoned ranch shirt ďŹ t right in. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an overcast July morning, and the Colorado native is surrounded by local ranchers and farmers atop a hillside on the Rolling Stone Ranch near Ovando, Mont., in the heart of the Blackfoot Valley. A carpet of fescue dotted with lupine rustles in the breeze, and the greencloaked mountains of the Bob Marshall Wilderness rise in the distance. A few lowing cattle provide the soundtrack.

Salazar is here to discuss how ranchers and farmers can work with federal agencies to preserve their open land while staying in business. This 2,600-acre ranch was one of the ďŹ rst to be protected this way, in collaboration with landowners and federal, state and local government ofďŹ cials. Launched in 1993, that partnership â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the Blackfoot Challenge â&#x20AC;&#x201C; has protected 285,000 acres through federal and private acquisitions and conservation easements, to help threatened species like bull trout and grizzly bears, while avoiding the bitter disputes that often arise when the federal government takes a top-down approach to conservation.

Salazar hopes to use the Blackfoot Valley as a template for his work in the Interior Department, promoting the approach in South Dakotaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s grasslands, Floridaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Everglades and Kansasâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Flint Hills.

A measured man Salazar is nothing if not a measured man, as todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s event demonstrates. He speaks slowly and deliberately, throwing in colloquial quips. His policies tend to be equally moderate, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hard to get him to say anything remotely controversial. More than one reporter has wondered if heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s intentionally boring in public. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s probably another reason every story about Salazar relies on his hat for color; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s usually the only showy thing about him. He looks shorter, and thinner, without it. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hard to picture him putting a boot to anyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s neck, as he threatened to do to BP at the height of the 2010 Gulf Coast oil spill. Even the policies that most rankle his Republican critics have hardly been radical. In his three years as secretary, though, heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s watched the middle ground shift radically beneath him. His

work at Interior often seems to be an endless exercise in trying to ďŹ nd it once again.

You can tell the struggle is wearing on him by the wistfulness with which he discusses the West. When asked whether he would spend a second term at Interior, his response is vague. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m there for the foreseeable future,â&#x20AC;? he says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Looking beyond that, I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know.â&#x20AC;?

Later that morning, he visits Ovandoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Stray Bullet CafĂŠ. The wood-sided building has hosted a general store, a liquor store and an outďŹ tter in its 130 years. The sandwiches are named for guns, like the Colt 45 (pastrami) and the Remington (roast beef).

If Salazarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s public comments at todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s events so far have been laconic and to the point, he seems even more guarded as he sits down with a reporter to answer questions.

He lights up, though, as a local rancher comes over to shake his hand and tell him about the nesting trumpeter swans on his farm â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a species that the Fish and Wildlife Service considers â&#x20AC;&#x153;sensitiveâ&#x20AC;? in the region. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Let me see your hands again,â&#x20AC;? Salazar asks the man.â&#x20AC;&#x153;I love these,â&#x20AC;? he says, grasping the calloused, dirt-stained ďŹ ngers again. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You see these hands? These are the hands of the salt of the earth. â&#x20AC;&#x153;These are my people,â&#x20AC;? he adds. They â&#x20AC;&#x153;have common sense and theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re very practical about the world.â&#x20AC;?

Common sense The â&#x20AC;&#x153;common senseâ&#x20AC;? he derived from his own childhood on a ranch in south-central Coloradoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s San Luis Valley has been essential to his job, he says. The way he says the phrase gives the distinct impression that he thinks itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in short supply in Washington these days.

The ranch he mentions so fondly and frequently comprises 210 acres and sits less than 20 miles north of the New Mexico border. His great-grandfather, Phillip Cantu, ďŹ rst settled there in 1860, and the Salazars still ranch and farm there. The family has a long history in the region; Juan de la Salazar arrived from Spain in 1543. Juanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s son helped found the city of Santa Fe 50 years later, and the Salazars consider themselves 12th-generation Latino Americans. Kenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s parents, Henry and Emma Salazar, raised eight children in a three-bedroom house with an indoor bathroom but no running water, his brother John recalls. The family was â&#x20AC;&#x153;very, very poor,â&#x20AC;? but â&#x20AC;&#x153;we always had enough food, and we always had a lot of work.â&#x20AC;? Their grandmother shared the house, and the children shared the chores,

chasing sheep and growing alfalfa. John and Ken, two years apart, were third and fourth in line.

Ken Salazarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Colorado ties are still strong. He and his wife, Hope, raised their two daughters, Melinda and Andrea, in Denver, but made frequent trips to the ranch. Andrea became pregnant unexpectedly while still an undergraduate, and the Salazars took in her daughter, Mireya, so Andrea could ďŹ nish school. Hope and Mireya came with Salazar to Washington when he was conďŹ rmed as Interior secretary in 2009. But in February 2010, doctors diagnosed the little girl as autistic. Hope and Mireya, now three and a half, returned to Colorado so she could attend a specialized school and receive one-on-one therapy at home. The separation has been hard on the family. Salazar now rents a small apartment in northwest Washington, D.C., and calls home to talk to his granddaughter almost every night. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the great joy of our lives,â&#x20AC;? he says. He tries to visit Colorado at least every two weeks, â&#x20AC;&#x153;but there are times when three weeks pass, and I wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be able to make it back.â&#x20AC;?

Indeed, he sets a brisk pace, spending a couple of weeks on the road most months.

In just the four days before the Montana trip, he announced a new draft environmental analysis for offshore wind in the Mid-Atlantic; made two recommendations of U.S. sites to add to the United Nationsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; World Heritage List; urged Congress to preserve Manhattan Project sites in New Mexico, Washington state and Tennessee as a national park; announced four new renewable energy projects on public lands in California and Oregon, and rolled out the Landscape Stewards program, a private-public partnership for community conservation work.

Even his â&#x20AC;&#x153;ďŹ shing tripâ&#x20AC;? to Kalispell, Mont., after he visited Ovando was planned down to the minute. At 3:05 p.m., he toured the Creston National Fish Hatchery with students from the Northwest Montana Native Youth Conservation Corps and the Montana Conservation Corps. At 4:05 p.m., he visited a local shop to buy a Montana ďŹ shing license. At 4:45 p.m., he stopped by the Pine Grove Family Fishing Pond, where he was actually supposed to have a few minutes to ďŹ sh. (His staff reports that he did cast his line a few times.)

Destined Salazarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s brother John believes he was always destined for a career in public service, although he didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t realize it at ďŹ rst. Salazar

got a degree in political science from Colorado College and took a year off to work on the ranch before heading to the University of Michigan for law school, where he graduated in 1981. After several years in private practice, he was asked to serve as chief legal counsel to Coloradoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Democratic Gov. Roy Romer. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I said to him, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll do it, but Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll only do it for a year, because I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to be in politics, and I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t SALAZAR page 16

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Salazar continued om page 15 want to be in government,’” Salazar recalls.

But one year became two, then four. In 1990, Romer appointed Salazar director of the Department of Natural Resources. “He had a public-servant value about him,” recalls Stewart Bliss, a semi-retired business consultant in Denver who served then as Romer’s chief of staff. “He sets very high standards, he’s dedicated to excellence, and he holds his people to those same high standards.” Salazar went on to serve six years as Colorado’s attorney general.

The Salazar brothers entered the U.S. Congress together in 2005, John in the House and Ken in the Senate. John served for six years, but after losing his re-election bid in 2010, he was glad to leave D.C.’s partisanship behind and return to Colorado, where he’s now commissioner of Agriculture. Ken served four years before accepting President Obama’s offer of the Interior position. Both brothers, conservative Democrats, were inclined to put pragmatism ahead of party during their tenure. “Sometimes we anger our party quite a bit, and sometimes we anger the other side,” says John, “and I think that’s the way Ken’s always approached his politics.”

John remembers his younger brother once getting into so much trouble at the ranch that their mother spanked him. Ken retreated outside to sulk atop a pile of dirt.

That pile of dirt, though, turned out to be an anthill. “They just bit him all over his back,” John recalls. “I think he learned his lesson, that you’re not supposed to sit on

top of ant piles – maybe that’s what’s shaped his career.”

At Interior, though, it appears that Salazar is having a harder time minding the anthills than he did in the Senate, mostly because of today’s volatile political climate.

He’s dialed back some of his more ambitious policies, and taken a more surgical approach to new initiatives. At times, he’s come across as indecisive or timid, even though his methods and centrist instincts don’t seem to have changed.

The most vicious fight yet was over his “wild lands” program. In late 2010, Interior surprised everyone by announcing that its Bureau of Land Management would assess millions of acres – including much-contested areas of Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Idaho – to determine which deserved wilderness protection. U.S. House Republicans revolted, declaring the move a “war on the West,” and arguing that the creation of a category of wild lands separate from the traditional “wilderness areas” usually designated by Congress was illegal, even though the wild-lands designation was less restrictive, allowing the agency more discretion to determine permissible uses and development.

In April, Congress defunded the initiative in the budget deal that averted a government shutdown. In June, Salazar dodged the blockade by rescinding his order and pledging to work on “building consensus around locally-supported initiatives.” The BLM would consult with Congress and

stakeholders to decide which areas should be protected. “I didn’t want the fight that was going on with wild lands to distract us from the more important conservation work that we’re doing,” he says. He’s optimistic that the new plan will succeed; in November, the BLM recommended 18 new areas, most of which appear to have local support for wilderness protection, including California’s Beauty Mountain, some coastal and forest areas of the San Juan Archipelago of Washington, and Colorado’s Castle Peak. Some environmentalists panned the efforts as too paltry, but the usual conservative Republican critics were generally silent, and the often-combative Rep. Rob Bishop, a Utah Republican, even offered cautious praise at a recent committee hearing.

A tempered approach Interior has also tempered its approach to the development of renewable energy on public lands. In December 2010, Salazar announced 24 proposed large-scale “solar energy zones” in six Western states, totaling 677,000 acres. Environmentalists liked the idea of zoning, but worried that some of the areas would compromise wildlife habitat and that the plan would allow development on a massive amount of additional land, which would seem to defeat the idea of zones altogether. After 80,000 public comments, the agency released a revised plan in October that slashed the zoned acreage by more than half, cutting

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seven zones entirely. Some areas simply weren’t appealing to developers, officials said, while others were dropped for conservation reasons.

On some issues, though, Salazar has maintained a tough stance. In July 2009, he responded to a huge increase in new uranium claims around the Grand Canyon by issuing a two-year moratorium on new mining on a million acres surrounding the park. This October, his BLM announced it would extend that moratorium for 20 years. Up to 11 mines would be grandfathered in, but a number of House and Senate Republicans were infuriated and are trying to reverse the decision.“I don’t know if any of my colleagues were consulted before this decision was made, but I sure as hell wasn’t,” Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., complained in a press conference. The decision “open(ed) the doors for a new round of battles” on land use in the West, warned Rep. David Schweikert, R-Ariz.

Even now, such fierce opposition seems to catch Salazar off guard. He seems nostalgic for his less-quarrelsome days in the Senate, working in bipartisan “gangs” on the Iraq war, immigration, energy and other issues. Now, he says, “There’s a lot of divisiveness and partisan rancor. And at least during the time that I was there, on a number of different things we were able to transcend that on some very difficult issues.

“Sometimes,” he says, “I wonder if I were there today, the role that I could play in trying to bring the sides together.”